The Community Survival Center240 Main StreetIndian Orchard, MA 01151(413) 543-3930

Welcome to the Community Survival Center

The mission of the Community Survival Center is to provide survival items of food, clothing, and household goods to members of our community in times of need.

The Community Survival Center is a 34 year old non-profit agency that helps families struggling to provide the basics: food, clothing and household items. Our emergency food pantry serves Ludlow, Wilbraham, and Hampden as well as the 16 Acres, Pine Point and Indian Orchard neighborhoods in Springfield.

The Bridge of Hope Thrift Shop is open to the public and sells quality clothing and accessories, most at just $4 per item. Shirts and blouses are $3 per item. Also, our Clothing and Household Goods Program offers sales at just $4/bag (with a limit of one bag of children's clothing) or $6/bag for the larger bag, and is also open to the general public. All proceeds help to fund our pantry.

We are supported by donations from our neighbors: individuals, churches, businesses, schools and various groups and organizations within the above mentioned communities. And we are extremely grateful to be able to support the center primarily with their help.

Thank You!

Please check out our "Thank You" tab, where we express our appreciation for those who support the Community Survival Center.

Flip Day

The Community Survival Center will be closed on Friday, March 16 for our semi-annual "flip".

On this day, we will switch out the fall/winter clothing for spring/summer clothing.

We welcome shoppers to come in and browse all of the new merchandise when we re-open on Monday, March 19.

Easter Dinner

Easter Sunday is April 1, 2018. We will begin distributing dinners in March.

Diapers and sanitary products

Families who struggle with food insecurity also often struggle to provide other basic necessities for their families. We gratefully accept and distribute diapers and wipes for babies and toddlers. Larger sizes are always in demand.

Feminine hygiene products are also welcomed.

How YOU Can Help!

Did you know that the Community Survival Center gratefully accepts cash (or check) donations? We are very appreciative of any and all donations, large and small.

Here are a few ways your tax-deductible donation can help us to better serve our clients.

$10 will help us buy two main staple items for the Pantry: tuna and pasta

$30 will help us to purchase perishable meats that will last a senior one month

$50 will buy 20 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for 2 hungry children in the pre-school pantry program

$100 will help us stock the pantry with hearty soups and stews, and canned vegetables

$400 will help to heat or cool the Center

Board of Directors

Would you like to help your community in a meaningful way? Are you interested in serving on our Board of Directors? Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month @ 5:30pm at the Center.

Board members volunteer additional time at various events and food drives.

If interested, please call the Center @ 413-543-3930 and ask to speak to Mary.

Interesting articles

Food Needed

We need your help!

Once again we are looking to you, the community, for help in getting food on our pantry shelves. The number of families coming to us for food is increasing, and we need to keep our shelves stocked with a variety of nutritious items. We are averaging 18 new families a month.

Remember One Can, Can Make a Difference!

Thank you all in advance for your new or continued support of The Center. Ask to see Michelle when you bring in your food donation, she would love to personally thank you.

We Need Volunteers

We are always in need of volunteers. If you think you could give some time to help us, and would like to be a volunteer or an "on call" volunteer, we will be happy to work with you to create a mutually beneficial schedule.

We also gladly welcome groups of volunteers. Do you have a community group looking for a service project? Are you a confirmation student fulfilling community service hours? We could use your assistance!

Please note: We cannot accept any volunteer under the age of 16 (for liability reasons). Volunteers aged 16 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult when volunteering. Volunteers must complete an application process, which includes a request for references.

Please contact Mary or Michelle at 413-543-3930.

Our Emergency Food Pantry is in Critical Need of the Following Protein Food Items:

SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)

Many of you may have heard of the passage of the Farm Bill and the corresponding cuts that have been made to the SNAP (Food Stamps) program. Thousands of individuals who rely on this program are facing a serious crisis, which means many of them turn to their local food pantry. The Community Survival Center's pantry has been struggling to meet the ever growing needs of our neighbors for the past three years. The Center acknowledges with gratitude all that churches, schools, and individuals have done to help fill this need. We are asking your help once again to fill our pantry shelves. The Center needs a wide variety of non-perishable items to be able to provide our emergency food clients with a 4 to 5 day supply of well-balanced meals. Please remember when you are shopping to pick up an extra item or two for donation, especially on-sale items and buy 1 get 1 (or 2!) free. As always, we know we can count on you, our COMMUNITY, to help keep our shelves stocked. Donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:15pm. On Thursday, donation hours are extended to 4:45pm.THANK YOU for all you do to assist the struggling families of this community.